tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786784182488135171.post5513777078700405492..comments2023-07-21T17:26:24.127+04:00Comments on Ron George: Tour Wins, Probability & Sporting MisconceptionsRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268869622833968439noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786784182488135171.post-3432186482170935042009-07-04T22:57:00.113+04:002009-07-04T22:57:00.113+04:00Today, someone in the Velonews forums said somethi...Today, someone in the Velonews forums said something of this effect -<br><br>"I find it funny how Armstrong fans put him in a position so that regardless of his performance, he can never lose.<br><br>If he does well, it was to be expected because he's the greatest.<br><br>If he doesn't do well, then here are the reasons why his performance is still impressive-he's 38, he's been out of the sport for four years...blah blah blah.<br><br>There is a HUGE difference between Armstrong fans and cycling fans.<br><br>Cycling fans will watch the Tour regardless of who's racing, whereas Armstrong fans only tune in to see HIM race.<br><br>I'm not an Armstrong fan, I'm a cycling fan and I just want to see a good race.<br><br>But the contrived drama that Armstrong and his fans bring to the table is unnecessary. I do not believe it's good for the sport to have one guy sucking up all the oxygen, and his fans are blatant about their idol worship to the point where the racing becomes a peripheral issue."<br><br><br>http://forum.velonews.com/read.php?f=2&i=369474&t=369474#reply_369474Kylenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786784182488135171.post-52858372950050722682009-07-02T08:31:59.257+04:002009-07-02T08:31:59.257+04:00There's some truth to the article, as well exe...There's some truth to the article, as well exemplified in the latest French championships where relatively unknown riders (or at least not the popular superstars) won. Same in Britain and Canada :)<br><br>That said, I don't think you can accurately say it's just luck that Freire won 3 WCs, or Bettini got WC/Lombardia, or Boonen winning Flanders/PR. Or Lance doing 7 tours. Or Sastre being super consistent in grand tours.<br><br>Truth is, the are riders who are above average in their capacities, even for tremendously talented pro-caliber athletes. On a field sprint, it is ridiculous to say that Cavendish, OBree and Bahamontes (at their peak) and each one will take 333 wins out of 999. Or a climb up the Galibier. Or a 40 km TT.<br><br>This is the reason cycling teams tend to set up their member with the best chance of winning a given prize, be it a stage, classic, jersey, etc.<br><br>You mention Hincapie, and his quest to win a spring classic. There's at least 20 cyclists as talented and more as him, equally as well prepared, with the proper access to gear, coaching, nutritional expertise, etc. And yes, some luck is needed to win, too. But, paraphrasing Hemingway: it's better to be prepared than to be lucky, so when luck comes you can take advantage from it.<br><br>I completely agree that we should embrace all these amazing athletes, and enjoy their struggles and experiences (like Jens not taking what he considered a hollow win over Gárate), savour their small and large victories (one of my favourite memories is Voeckler turning himself inside out to stay inyellow one more day)and sympathize with their suffering.Rodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786784182488135171.post-48595829065096983152009-07-02T03:16:26.797+04:002009-07-02T03:16:26.797+04:00Well said. Shame on the media. Its really been get...Well said. Shame on the media. Its really been getting me sick of hearing about all the Lance chanting 24/7. Yeah heck, where are the others?! Isn't there like 20 teams or something?Podium43noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786784182488135171.post-42578259423716552912009-07-01T15:52:59.351+04:002009-07-01T15:52:59.351+04:00This article must be banned!It crushes the nerds w...This article must be banned!<br><br>It crushes the nerds who can remember who won every race, stage etc, and then predict with 'certainty' the results of upcoming races.<br><br>Bike and equipment manufacturers won't be happy either, if we realise that their products don't actually guarantee us winning performances. We try to ignore this, as we are lazy & just try to copy what the best professionals use, often without even questioning if it will fit us.<br><br>In short, thanks for writing the article & keep up the good work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com